Plants are born tender and pliant; dead, they are brittle and dry. Thus whoever is stiff and inflexible is a disciple of death. Whoever is soft and yielding is a disciple of life. The hard and stiff will be broken. The soft and supple will prevail." Lao Tzu . Quotes On Old School Classic Spirituality. Share. Get more wisdom. Get more wisdom from PhilosophersNotes • From PhilosophersNotes ...